LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars opener Fakhar Zaman has been handed a two-match suspension in the ongoing Pakistan Super League after being found guilty of ball-tampering during a clash against Karachi Kings, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Tuesday.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, the left-hander committed a Level 3 offence by violating Article 2.14 of the Code of Conduct during Sunday’s match at Gaddafi Stadium.
The controversy unfolded in the closing stages of the game when umpires penalised Lahore Qalandars five runs and ordered the ball to be replaced just before the final over of Karachi’s innings.
The decision followed a brief on-field exchange involving Fakhar, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, and pacer Haris Rauf, during which the ball was seen being passed around before being inspected by officials.
The penalty proved decisive, as Abbas Afridi capitalised on the situation, smashing a four and a six to guide Karachi Kings to a four-wicket victory with three balls remaining.
Match officials including on-field umpires Shahid Saikat and Faisal Khan Aafreedi, TV umpire Asif Yaqoob, and fourth umpire Tariq Rasheed brought the charge against Fakhar.
Although Fakhar denied wrongdoing and contested the allegation, match referee Roshan Mahanama upheld the charge after reviewing evidence and conducting a full disciplinary hearing.
